New HVBA Board Member: Danny DiPaola

Danny DiPaola has just been invited to join the Board of the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association and we are so happy that he has accepted. We thought you might like to know a bit more about him.

His initial contact with the Bluegrass world dates to the 1980’s. It was then that he rented a workroom in his studio, Splash, to a well-respected banjo player (name on request). Over time, they did several recording projects together which brought Danny in contact with many members of the New York bluegrass scene. He loved the music, and the sense of community.

Fast forward to the year 2000 when Danny opened a restaurant/music venue in Ossining, NY. Danny’s Café.Com featured “Bluegrass Sundays” and presented many wonderful bands. It was at that time that he joined the HVBA and he says that he still has that membership card, somewhere.

An accomplished musician, Danny has played guitar and bass in bands since he was eleven years old. He says, “I don’t know what came over me, but in 2018 I bought a mandolin and some instruction books and began my journey. I reached out to Barry Mitterhoff for lessons, which continue to this day.”

A few years ago, Danny learned that the HVBA was holding two jams a month and decided to take the next step. And so, he showed up with mandolin in hand and a mask on his face. Says Danny, “I was immediately welcomed into the group. As I learned more about the HVBA and its activities, it was clear that this was a well-run organization that provided many benefits to the membership.”

Given his long experience and contacts in the music world, we hope he will work to attract local and regionally known acts to perform.

Welcome aboard, Danny DiPaola

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